US20050047934A1

US20050047934A1 - Pump provided with exaust valve device and hemodynamometer incorporating the same

Info

Publication number: US20050047934A1
Application number: US10/880,087
Authority: US
Inventors: Ikuichiro Nawa
Original assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-29
Filing date: 2004-06-30
Publication date: 2005-03-03
Also published as: TW200507802A; US7331773B2; JP2005076535A

Abstract

A diaphragm is provided in a pump case so as to define a pump chamber communicated with an external member having an air chamber. A motor actuates the diaphragm to introduce air into the pump chamber and to supply the introduced air to the air chamber. An exhaust valve exhausts air in the pump chamber to lower a pressure in the air chamber. The exhaust valve is provided with a valve body and an actuator which is driven by the motor to actuate the valve body so as to open or close an exhaust port communicated with the pump chamber.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a compact pump provided with an exhaust valve device and a hemodynamometer employing the compact pump. Specifically, the invention relates to a compact pump which supplies air to an air chamber such as a cuff of the hemodynamometer to raise the pressure in the air chamber, and then releases the air to lower the pressure in the air chamber.
Such a compact pump is incorporated in, for example, an oscillometric hemodynamometer. In the oscillometric hemodynamometer, a pump supplies air to a cuff wound around an upper arm of a patient to compress an artery at a predetermined pressure to temporarily block a blood stream, and the air is then released by a normal exhaust valve to gradually lower the pressure in the cuff. Incidentally, the variations of the internal pressure of the cuff and the vibration amplitude in accordance with the artery pulsations are processed by a microcomputer to measure the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure. After the measurement processing, a rapid exhaust valve is operated to rapidly lower the internal pressure of the cuff.
Generally, it is preferable that the normal exhaust valve which is employed in the hemodynamometer has such a property that the pressure in the cuff is lowered at a constant speed of about 3 to 4 mmHg/sec., and the rapid exhaust valve has such a property that the pressure in the cuff is rapidly lowered.
FIG. 5 shows such a compact pump which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-106471A.
A compact pump 1 comprises: a pump body 2 which is driven by a motor (not shown); a normal exhaust valve 3 which exhausts an air through a slit at a constant speed (such an exhaust valve is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-14809Y, for example); a rapid exhaust valve 4 which is actuated by a plunger; and a flexible tube 5.
The normal exhaust valve 3 and the rapid exhaust valve 4 are separately provided from the pump body 2. The tube 5 interconnects an exhaust port 6 of the pump body 2, the normal exhaust valve 3 and the rapid exhaust valve 4, and is also connected to a cuff (not shown) which is wound around an upper arm of a patient. Inside the tube 5, there is formed an air passage 8 which communicates respectively with a pump chamber 7 in the pump body 2, the normal exhaust valve 3, the rapid exhaust valve 4, and the cuff.
With the above configuration, when the pump body 2 is driven, exterior air is introduced into the pump chamber 7 and is then supplied to the cuff from the exhaust port 6 via the air passage 8 formed in the tube 5. When the internal pressure of the cuff reaches a predetermined pressure, the normal exhaust valve 3 is activated to exhaust air in the air passage 8. Incidentally, a larger amount of air than the amount of the air exhausted by the normal exhaust valve 3 is introduced into the cuff from the pump chamber 7.
Here, since the driving of the pump body 2 is halted, the internal pressure of the cuff is gradually lowered by the normal exhaust valve 3. Incidentally, the variations of the internal pressure of the cuff and the vibration amplitude in accordance with the artery pulsations are processed by a microcomputer to measure the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure. After the measurement processing, a rapid exhaust valve 4 is activated to rapidly lower the internal pressure of the cuff.
In the above configuration, since the normal exhaust valve 3 and the rapid exhaust valve 4 are separately provided from the pump body 2, a large number of the components are required, the structure becomes complicated, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost.
Moreover, a piping structure of the tube 5 (the air passage 8) becomes complicated. Since the tube 5 is exposed to the exterior of the pump body 2, the tube 5 might sometimes come into contact with other members and bent or crooked when the compact pump 1 is assembled, thereby lowering the workability of the assembling operation.
Further, a plunger for exclusive use is adopted as an actuator for the rapid exhaust valve 4, thereby increasing the component cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a pump provided with an exhaust valve device which is capable of decreasing the component cost, simplifying and downsizing the pump structure, and improving the facility to attach the pump to other equipment such as a hemodynamometer.
In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention, there is provided a pump, comprising:
a pump case;
a diaphragm, provided in the pump case so as to define a pump chamber communicated with an external member having an air chamber;
a motor, which actuates the diaphragm to introduce air into the pump chamber and to supply the introduced air to the air chamber; and
an exhaust valve, which exhausts air in the pump chamber to lower a pressure in the air chamber, the exhaust valve comprising:
a valve body; and
an actuator, which is driven by the motor to actuate the valve body so as to open or close an exhaust port communicated with the pump chamber.
With this configuration, since the opening/closing operation of the exhaust valve is performed with the aid of the driving force of the motor, it is possible to omit a large and heavy actuating component such as a plunger. Accordingly, the weight reduction and the downsizing of the pump can be attained.
Preferably, the actuator comprises: a first gear, coupled with a rotary shaft of the motor; a second gear, meshing with the first gear to be rotated; a lever member, pivotably provided about the rotary shaft; and a clutch mechanism, connecting the second gear and the lever member such that the lever member is pivoted in accordance with the rotation of the rotary shaft. The lever member is pivoted in such a direction that the second gear is abutted against the valve body so that the valve body is moved so as to open the exhaust port, when the rotary shaft is rotated in a first direction. The lever member is pivoted in such a direction that the second gear is separated from the valve body so that the valve body is moved so as to close the exhaust port, when the rotary shaft is rotated in a second direction.
In this case, since the opening/closing operation of the exhaust valve can be controlled by the rotating direction of the motor, the switching operation of the second exhaust valve can be simplified.
Here, it is preferable that the motor is halted at a predetermined timing after the valve body opens the exhaust port. The exhaust valve further comprises: an urging member which urges the valve body toward a position for closing the exhaust port; and a stopper against which the lever member is abutted with the aid of a force urging the valve body even when the motor is halted.
In this case, the needless power consumption and the overheat problem can be avoided.
It is further preferable that: the valve body is pivotably provided in the pump case; and the urging member urges the valve body such that the urging force is directed in a tangential direction of the pivotal movement of the valve body. In this case, the closing state of the exhaust valve can be secured.
Preferably, at least a part of the valve body is monolithically formed with the diaphragm.
In this case, it is possible to decrease the components in number, simplification, donsizing and decrease in weight of the structure.
According to the invention, there is also provided a hemodynamometer, comprising:
a cuff, adapted to be attached on a patient body and having an air chamber; and

- a pump, comprising:
- a pump case;
- a diaphragm, provided in the pump case so as to define a pump chamber communicated with an external member having an air chamber;
- a motor, which actuates the diaphragm to introduce air into the pump chamber and to supply the introduced air to the air chamber; and
- an exhaust valve, which exhausts air in the pump chamber to lower a pressure in the air chamber, the exhaust valve comprising:
  - a valve body; and
  - an actuator, which is driven by the motor to actuate the valve body so as to open or close an exhaust port communicated with the pump chamber.

With this configuration, it is possible to obtain the hemodynamometer which is compact, light-weight and can be easily assembled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a vertical section view of a pump according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a rapid exhaust valve in the pump;
FIG. 3 is a vertical section view of a pump according to a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4A is a block diagram of an electric configuration of the rapid exhaust valve;
FIG. 4B is a block diagram of a modified example of the electric configuration of the rapid exhaust valve;
FIG. 5 is a vertical section view of a related-art pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the following description, although there will be described a case where a compact pump is used with a hemodynamometer, the compact pump is not necessarily limited to the use with the hemodynamometer.
As shown in FIG. 1, a compact pump 10 according to a first embodiment is so constructed that a normal exhaust valve 12 and a rapid exhaust valve 13 are provided in a pump body 11.
The pump body 11 has a pump case 14 in a rectangular shape in a plan view, in which a diaphragm body 16 having two diaphragm parts 16 a which define pump chambers 15 is provided. The diaphragm body 16 is formed of flexible material such as rubber material or soft plastic material having elasticity. A hollowed mounting body 17 is attached on a lower face of each of the diaphragm parts 16 a. A rocking body 18 for actuating the diaphragm parts 16 a in the vertical direction is coupled with the lower face of the diaphragm parts 16 a through the respective mounting bodies 17. The pump case 14 is composed of an upper case 14 a, an intermediate case 14 b and a lower case 14 c. The diaphragm body 16 is held in the pump case 14 in a state where a flange portion 16 b of the diaphragm body 16 is clamped between the upper case 14 a and the intermediate 14 b.
Projections 19 are formed in the vicinity of a periphery of the rocking body 18 so as to extend upward and fitted into the hollowed portion of the mounting bodies 17. Each of the projections 19 is formed with a through hole serving as an intake port 19 a.
A center bottom part of each diaphragm part 16 a is partly cut so as to form a valve body 20 and a through hole 21 which is opened or closed by the valve body 20 to constitute an intake valve V1.
A rotary shaft 22 for rocking the rocking body 18 by eccentric rotation is fittingly passed through a center part of the rocking body 18. An upper end of the rotary shaft 22 is fitted into a recess 24 formed in a protrusion 23 provided on the intermediate case 14 and above the rocking body 18. A lower end of the rotary shaft 22 is loosely fitted into a recess 28 which is eccentrically formed in a driving gear 27 coupled with a rotary shaft 26 of a motor 25. The motor 25 is disposed on a lower face of the lower case 14 c.
A central part of an upper face of the upper case 14 a is extended upward as a projection 46 formed with an exhaust port 29. A lower face of the upper case 14 a is formed with two annular grooves 30 each of which is communicated with the exhaust port 29. A valve body 31 formed as a part of each diaphragm part 16 a is brought into press contact with an inner peripheral face 30 a of each annular groove 30 to constitute an exhaust valve V2. The projection 46 is fitted into a flexible tube 47 so as to communicate the exhaust port 29 with a cuff (not shown).
A motor case 32 containing the motor 25 is connected to the lower case 14 such that inner spaces of the motor case 32 and the lower case 14 c are communicated through a through hole 33. At least one intake port 34 for introducing exterior air is formed at a lower face of the motor case 32.
The normal exhaust valve 12 is provided so as to be associated with one of the annular grooves 30. The normal exhaust valve 12 comprises a valve body 12 a formed as a part of the diaphragm body 16, and an adjuster screw 12 b fitted into a tubular projection 36 formed on the intermediate case 14 b for adjusting an exhausting rate of the valve body 12 a.
Specifically, the valve body 12 a is formed as a hollowed cylindrical projection 36 and integrated with the diaphragm body 16. A closed upper end face 61 of the valve body 12 a is brought into contact with a bottom face 30 b of the annular groove 30. A slit 35 extending in the vertical direction is formed in a side periphery of the valve body 12 a.
By screwing the adjuster screw 12 b toward the valve body 12 a, the valve body 12 a is compressed between the inner face of the upper case 14 a and the adjuster screw 12 b. According to this compression, the valve body 12 a is bulged and the slit 35 is opened. In this state, air in the annular groove 30 is exhausted to the interior of the pump case 14 through the slit 35. The opening degree of the slit 35 corresponding to the deformed amount of the valve body 12 a can be adjusted by the moving amount of the adjuster screw 12 b. In other words, the exhaust rate of the air in the cuff (the lowering rate of the internal pressure in the cuff) can be controlled by the adjustment. This adjustment is conducted in a course of assembling, but usually, will not be conducted after assembled, except in case of maintenance and inspection.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rapid exhaust valve 13 is provided so as to be associated with the other one of the annular grooves 30. The rapid exhaust valve 13 comprises: an exhaust section 37 formed with an exhaust port 37 a at a center portion thereof a valve body 13 a which opens or closes the exhaust port 37 a; and an actuator 13 b which actuates the valve body 13 a. The intermediate case 14 b is formed with a cut out 60 for receiving the exhaust section 37 such that the exhaust port 37 a is communicated with the interior of the pump case 14.
The valve body 13 a is formed of resin in a rectangular pillar shape. A top face thereof is made flat and smooth. A projection 50 is formed on the bottom face of the valve body 13 a so as to extend toward the inner bottom face of the lower case 14 c. A hinge 51 is provided at a corner portion between the top face and the upper portion of a first side face of the valve body 13 a. An engagement piece 38 is formed at a lower portion of a second side face of the valve body 13 a which is opposite to the first side face.
Accordingly, the valve body 13 a can be pivoted in the vertical direction about the hinge 51. When the valve body 13 a is pivoted upward, the top face of the valve body 13 a is abutted against the lower face of the exhaust section 37 so as to close the exhaust port 37 a. When the valve body 13 a is pivoted (inclined) downward, the top face of the valve body 13 a is separated from the lower face of the exhaust section 37 so as to open the exhaust port 37 a. The solid lines in FIG. 1 depict the position of the valve body 13 a closing the exhaust port 37 a (hereinafter, referred as “valve closing position”). The dashed chain lines in FIG. 1 depict the position of the valve body 13 a opening the exhaust port 37 a (hereinafter, referred as “valve opening position”).
The inner bottom face of the lower case 14 c is formed with a projection 53 so as to oppose the projection 50 of the valve body 13 a. A coiled spring 52 is disposed between the valve body 13 a and the lower case 14 c in a compressed state. One end of the coiled spring 52 is hooked on the projection 50, and the other end of the coiled spring 52 is hooked on the projection 53. Accordingly, the valve body 13 a is always urged toward the valve closing position, so that the exhaust port 37 a is closed in a usual state.
A bearing portion 40 of the motor case 32 extends to the interior of the pump case 14 through a central through hole 39 together with the rotary shaft 26 of the motor 25. As shown in FIG. 2, the valve actuator 13 b comprises: a pivot lever 41 one end of which is attached on the bearing portion; a shaft member 42 provided on the other end of the pivot lever 41; a follower gear rotatably provided on the pivot lever through the shaft member 42; and a coiled clutch spring 44. The lower case 14 c is formed with a pin-shaped stopper 45R for restricting the rightward pivot movement of the pivot lever 41 about the bearing portion 40, and a pin-shaped stopper 45L for restricting the leftward pivot movement of the pivot lever 41.
The follower gear 43 is meshed with the driving gear 27 coupled with the rotary shaft 26. When the driving gear 27 is rotated in accordance with the driving of the motor 25, the follower gear 43 is also rotated accordingly.
The coiled spring 44 is disposed between a head portion 42 a of the shaft member 42 and the follower gear 43, so that the lower face of the follower gear 43 is brought into slight contact with the upper face of the pivot lever 41.
In accordance with the rotation of the motor 25 in the direction as indicated by an arrow “A” in FIG. 2, the follower gear 43 rotates in the direction as indicated by an arrow “a”. Incidentally, since clutch friction due to the abutment of the coiled spring 44 is generated between the pivot lever 41 and the follower gear 43, the pivot lever 41 pivots about the bearing portion 40 in the direction as indicated by an arrow “C” until the pivot lever 41 is brought into contact with the stopper 45R. When the pivot movement of the pivot lever 41 is restricted by the stopper 45R, the frictional coupling between the follower gear 43 and the pivot lever 41 is canceled, so that only the follower gear 43 continues to rotate together with the driving gear 27.
To the contrary, in accordance with the rotation of the motor 25 in the direction as indicated by an arrow “B” in FIG. 2, the follower gear 43 rotates in the direction as indicated by an arrow “b”. Incidentally, since clutch friction due to the abutment of the coiled spring 44 is generated between the pivot lever 41 and the follower gear 43, the pivot lever 41 pivots about the bearing portion 40 in the direction as indicated by an arrow “O” until the pivot lever 41 is brought into contact with the stopper 45L. When the pivot movement of the pivot lever 41 is restricted by the stopper 45L, the frictional coupling between the follower gear 43 and the pivot lever 41 is canceled, so that only the follower gear 43 continues to rotate together with the driving gear 27.
The engagement piece 38 is so configured as to mesh with the follower gear 43 when the pivot lever 41 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow “O” by a predetermined amount. In such a condition, the engagement piece 38 receives a force directed in the direction as indicated by an arrow “G” in FIG. 2 from the follower gear 43. The force in the direction “G” moves the valve body 13 a so as to pivot about the hinge 51 downward (toward the valve opening position) against the urging force of the coiled spring 52.
That is, when the motor 25 is rotated in the direction “A” and the pivot lever 41 is abutted against the stopper 45R, the valve body 13 a is placed at the valve closing position.
To the contrary, when the motor is rotated in the direction “B” and the pivot lever 41 is moved in the direction “O” by the predetermined amount, the follower gear 43 meshes with the engagement piece 38. In accordance with the further pivot of the pivot lever 41, the follower gear 43 pushes the engagement piece 38 in the direction “G” so that the valve body 13 a opens the exhaust port 37 a. As a result, the air in the annular grooves 30 (that is, the air in the cuff) is rapidly exhausted through the exhaust port 37 a.
When the motor 25 is further rotated in the direction “B” from this condition, since the pivot movement of the pivot lever 41 is restricted by the stopper 45L, the frictional coupling between the follower gear 43 and the pivot lever 41 is canceled, so that only the follower gear 43 continues to rotate together with the driving gear 27. In such a condition, the motor load is rapidly increased so that not only the power consumption is increased but also the overheat problem is caused.
Accordingly, in this embodiment, it is configured that the power supplied to the motor 25 is cut off after the rotation in the direction “B” of the motor 25 for a predetermined time period. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, an MPU (micro processing unit) 100 is informed of the count completion of the above predetermined time period from the timer 101. The MPU issues an instruction to the driver 102 to cut off the power supply to the motor 25.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, there may be provided a sensor 103 for monitoring the interior pressure of the cuff. When a detector 104 detects that the decompressed internal pressure of the cuff monitored by the sensor 103 reaches a threshold value, the MPU 100 is informed so and issues an instruction to the driver 102 to cut off the power supply to the motor 25.
The position of the stopper 45L is determined such that the force urging the valve body 13 a toward the valve closing position, which is generated by the coiled spring 52, generates a force “N” in FIG. 2 which urges the pivot lever 41 toward the stopper 45L, while the exhaust port 37 a is still opened. In such an arrangement, the opening condition of the exhaust port 37 a can be maintained even when the power supply to the motor 25 is cut off.
Next, the operation of the compact pump 10 configured as described the above will be described.
When the motor 25 is rotated in the direction “A” in FIG. 2, the rotary shaft 22 coupled through the rotary shaft 26 and the driving gear 27 is also rotated to rock the rocking body 18. The bottom parts of the diaphragm parts 16 a in the diaphragm body 16 are vertically moved in accordance with the movement of the rocking body 18. For example, when one of the diaphragm parts 16 a is moved downward, the interior pressure of the one diaphragm part 16 a is made negative. Accordingly, the valve body 31 comes in close contact with the inner peripheral face 30 a of one annular groove 30 to close the exhaust valve V2. On the other hand, the valve body 20 opens the through hole 21 to open the intake valve V1, so that air is introduced into the one diaphragm part 16 a from the intake port 19 a as indicated by an arrow “E” in FIG. 1.
During the rotation of the motor 25 in the direction “A” in FIG. 2, the pivot lever 41 is moved to the stopper 45R and the follower gear 43 is separated from the valve body 13 a of the rapid exhaust valve 13. Accordingly, the valve body 13 a is pushed by the coiled spring 52 in a direction as indicated by an arrow “H” in FIG. 2, so that the valve body 13 a is placed at the valve closing position of the rapid exhaust valve 13.
On the other hand, in accordance with the upward movement of the other one of the diaphragm parts 16 a, the interior thereof is compressed. The valve body 20 accordingly closes the through hole 21 to bring the intake valve V1 in the closed condition. Incidentally, the valve body 31 is separated from the inner peripheral face 30 a of the other annular groove 30 so that the exhaust valve V2 exhausts air as indicated by arrows “F” in FIG. 1. The exhausted air is supplied to the cuff (not shown) via the tube 47 coupled to the projection 46.
When the internal pressure of the cuff reaches a first predetermined value, the normal exhaust valve 12 is activated to exhaust air in the air passage. At the same time, larger amount of air than the above exhausted air is supplied to the cuff.
When the internal pressure of the cuff reaches a second predetermined value which is higher than the first predetermined value, the motor 25 is halted, thereby halting the operation of the pump. Accordingly, the air in the air passage is exhausted by the normal exhaust valve 12 to gradually lower the internal pressure of the cuff. Incidentally, the internal pressure of the cuff and the vibration pattern due to the arterial pulsations are processed by the microcomputer to measure the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure.
After the measurement processing, the motor 25 is rotated inversely (i.e., the direction “B” in FIG. 2), so that the pivot lever 41 is moved in the direction “O” in FIG. 2 together with the follower gear 43. The follower gear 43 is then meshed with the engagement piece 38 of the rapid exhaust valve 13, thereby pushing the engagement piece 38 in the direction “G” in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the valve body 13 a is pivoted downward about the hinge 51, so that the exhaust port 37 a of the exhaust part 37 is opened. The air in the annular grooves 30 is exhausted from the exhaust port 37 a, thereby rapidly exhausting the interior air of the cuff.
In the compact pump 10 of this embodiment, since the opening/closing operation of the rapid exhaust valve 13 is performed with the aid of the driving force of the motor 25, it is possible to omit a large and heavy actuating component such as a plunger. Accordingly, the weight reduction and the downsizing of the pump can be attained.
Since the valve body 13 a of the rapid exhaust valve 13 is so configured as to be pivoted by the abutment of the actuator 13 b, thereby opening the exhaust port 37 a to perform the rapid exhaust of the air in the air passage, the structure of the rapid exhaust valve can be simplified. Further, since the opening/closing operation of the rapid exhaust valve 13 can be controlled by the rotating direction of the motor 25, the switching operation of the rapid exhaust valve can be simplified.
Since the power supply to the motor 25 is cut off while maintaining the opening condition of the exhaust port 37 a, the needless power consumption and the overheat problem can be avoided.
Since the diaphragm body 16 also serves as a part of the components composing the normal exhaust valve 12 and the rapid exhaust valve 13, it is possible to decrease the components in number, simplification, downsizing and decrease in weight of the structure. Further, the operation for installing the pump into another equipment such as a hemodynamometer can be facilitated.
Since the valve body 13 a is urged toward the exhaust port 37 a disposed above the valve body 13 a by the coiled spring 52 disposed below the valve body 13 a, the closing state of the rapid exhaust valve 13 can be secured.
FIG. 3 shows a compact pump according to a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is characterized in that the coiled spring 52 is disposed between the first side face of the valve body 13 a of the rapid exhaust valve 13 and the inner side face of the lower case 14 c. Any others are identical with the first embodiment. The members as same as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and repetitive explanations for those will be omitted.
Specifically, a recess 54 is formed at a lower portion of a first side face of the valve body 13 a, and a projection 50 is formed in the recess 54 so as to extend toward the inner side face of the lower case 14 c. An engagement piece 38 is formed at a lower portion of a second side face of the valve body 13 a which is opposite to the first side face. A hinge 51 is provided at a corner portion between the top face and the upper portion of the first side face.
The inner side face of the lower case 14 c is formed with a projection 53 so as to oppose the projection 50 of the valve body 13 a. The coiled spring 52 is disposed between the valve body 13 a and the lower case 14 c in a compressed state. One end of the coiled spring 52 is hooked on the projection 50, and the other end of the coiled spring 52 is hooked on the projection 53. Accordingly, the valve body 13 a is always urged toward the valve closing position, so that the exhaust port 37 a is closed in a usual state.
According to this configuration, since the dimension between the bottom face of the valve body 13 a and the inner bottom face of the lower case 14 c is smaller than that in the first embodiment, the pump 10 can be downsized in the vertical direction.
Although the description has been made referring to the case where the two diaphragm parts 16 a are provided in the structure in this embodiment, the number of the diaphragm part 16 a may be arbitrary.
Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. Such changes and modifications as are obvious are deemed to come within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pump, comprising:

a pump case;

a diaphragm, provided in the pump case so as to define a pump chamber communicated with an external member having an air chamber;

a motor, which actuates the diaphragm to introduce air into the pump chamber and to supply the introduced air to the air chamber; and

an exhaust valve, which exhausts air in the pump chamber to lower a pressure in the air chamber, the exhaust valve comprising:

a valve body; and

an actuator, which is driven by the motor to actuate the valve body so as to open or close an exhaust port communicated with the pump chamber.

2. The pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the actuator comprises:

a first gear, coupled with a rotary shaft of the motor;

a second gear, meshing with the first gear to be rotated;

a lever member, pivotably provided about the rotary shaft; and

a clutch mechanism, connecting the second gear and the lever member such that the lever member is pivoted in accordance with the rotation of the rotary shaft;

the lever member is pivoted in such a direction that the second gear is abutted against the valve body so that the valve body is moved so as to open the exhaust port, when the rotary shaft is rotated in a first direction; and

the lever member is pivoted in such a direction that the second gear is separated from the valve body so that the valve body is moved so as to close the exhaust port, when the rotary shaft is rotated in a second direction.

3. The pump as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the motor is halted at a predetermined timing after the valve body opens the exhaust port;

the exhaust valve further comprises:

an urging member which urges the valve body toward a position for closing the exhaust port; and

a stopper against which the lever member is abutted with the aid of a force urging the valve body even when the motor is halted.

4. The pump as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

the valve body is pivotably provided in the pump case; and

the urging member urges the valve body such that the urging force is directed in a tangential direction of the pivotal movement of the valve body.

5. The pump as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least a part of the exhaust valve is monolithically formed with the diaphragm.

6. A hemodynamometer, comprising:

a cuff, adapted to be attached on a patient body and having an air chamber; and

a pump, comprising:

a pump case;

a valve body; and